Published on: 28th May 2021
A clinical research practitioner in Lincolnshire scooped one of the top awards at the UK’s Advancing Healthcare Awards 2021.
Tracey Collishaw, who works in the research team at Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT), was awarded the Academy for Healthcare Science Award for ‘Outstanding Achievement by a Clinical Research Practitioner’ at a virtual awards ceremony, on Friday 21 May 2021.
The award recognises and celebrates exceptional clinical research practitioners who have contributed to research programmes in an innovative and impactful way. Making a real difference to people’s lives, while inspiring those around them.
Rachael Fothergill, who is also a Clinical Research Practitioner at LPFT, nominated Tracey for the award.
She said: “I nominated Tracey as she is such an inspiration to her team. She constantly pushes us forward and is just full of energy and enthusiasm for her job.
“Tracey is such a team player that she never acknowledges her own achievements and I thought it was time she got some recognition for the work she does.”
Both Tracey and Rachael underwent a rigorous process as part of the nomination and shortlisting process, which involved them submitting various videos and being interviewed by a judging panel before Tracey was announced as one of three finalists for the award.
Tracey won the award as a result of the hard work and dedication shown by both her and the research team in promoting ENRICH (enabling research in care homes) and Join Dementia Research (JDR).
LPFT are the largest recruiter of care homes onto the ENRICH programme in the East Midlands. Tracey has been the ENRICH coordinator for Lincolnshire for over six years and each year the team are having to be more and more inventive in how they keep care homes engaged in the programme.
Tracey said: “My special thanks go to Rachael for the nomination and an extended thank you to the research team who support me.
“I am passionate about research and love what I do. I know it sounds like a cliché, but I feel like a winner every day.
“This award is not just for me, it’s a true reflection of the hard work and dedication seen from all staff across the Trust every day.”
Getting involved with research has never been easier and anyone over the age of 18 can sign up and register their interest in taking part in research.
Tracey added: “I have been on the Join Dementia Research register for about five years and have been involved in many research studies, mainly questionnaires or online memory activities. I’m proud to be involved and know that I’m contributing to research that one day will change lives.”
You can visit www.bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk to see what research is taking place around the country.
For more information about Join Dementia Research, visit www.joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk.
